SerpApi.Org
Both FIFA and Spain edited U.S. President Donald Trump out of their social media images of the national team hoisting the World Cup, prompting the White House's social media team to swiftly restore his presence in the photos.
Spain claimed the World Cup title after defeating Lionel Messi and Argentina in the Final, with Trump assigned the role of distributing medals and presenting the trophy. Trump remained on the podium as Spain raised the trophy aloft before eventually being guided away by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to allow the celebrations to continue, with several photos capturing him alongside the team.
Spain removed Trump from their trophy lift photos, and notably, FIFA followed suit - also cropping out Infantino in the process, as per The Mirror US.
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The White House subsequently fired back with their own post, sharing multiple images of Trump alongside the Spanish squad, along with a video on Instagram.
Trump is the sole figure in focus in two of the published photographs.
This marked the second occasion in 12 months that Trump has presented a soccer trophy, having previously done so with Chelsea at the Club World Cup final in the same venue a year prior.
Broadcasters and commentators across multiple networks noted Trump's extended presence on the podium before he was eventually escorted away - following an audible chorus of boos as he walked onto the field.
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Nevertheless, several Spanish players appeared to relish the encounter with Trump, with some performing the 'Trump dance' as he joined them on the podium.
Reflecting on the match and the tournament held throughout North America, Trump commented: "They both played well. I would say Spain played better. It was very exciting. It looked like Spain dominated, but it was a very close match.
"[The World Cup] is one of the greatest events of any kind. We are really happy it did so well.
"People have come from all over the world and loved our country. We have showed our country in a different light and it was a great thing."
